Collaboration for Sustainability in the Agri-Food Sector: the Case MEC - Marketplace Ecosostenibile Calabria

Several studies have suggested that collaborative-based approaches are relevant to attain sustainability related goals in the Agri-food sector. These approaches take on even more significance in the light of the opportunities offered by the so-called circular economy, through innovative technologies and profitable business models based on the exploitation of agricultural wastes, byproducts and unsold products. The role of circular-based methods in conciliating social, environmental and economic objectives in the Agri-food sector is emphasized in several works, with a particular focus on approaches aimed at promoting rational use of resources and reducing food loss and waste. In this sense, Circular Economy represents an emerging and promising approach to manage the socioeconomic-growth of Agri-food Networks. Starting from these considerations, the analysis of organizational and business models based on collaborative approaches as a tool for value chains creation in the agri-food sector seems to be a promising field to be explored. Unfortunately, the state-of-the-art picture of this field of study still appears fragmented and no specific model to design collaborative-based initiative in food sustainable chains are available. Thus, we analysed in depth the literature landscape of collaborative networks supporting the sustainable development through circular economy-based approaches in the agri-food sector, by means of a systematic literature review. Results of our systematic literature review led to the identification of a modelling framework consisting in four main elements, namely Network structure, Participants behavior, Supply Chain Processes, Supporting tools, methods, and technologies. We adopted this modelling framework to design a real experience of collaborative network based on the circular economy paradigm in the agri-food sector, namely MEC Marketplace Ecosostenibile Calabria